Homosexual Practice, Biblical Conviction, and Christian Compassion
Mark A. Taylor examines how Christians can uphold biblical convictions about homosexual practice while responding compassionately to people with same-sex attraction. Drawing on previous Christian Standard articles and the work of Dr. Robert Gagnon, he emphasizes the importance of combining biblical teaching with genuine care and understanding.
- Christians are called to show compassion and sensitivity toward people with same-sex attraction.
- The article distinguishes between homosexual practice and same-sex attraction when discussing biblical teaching.
- Biblical conviction and personal compassion should guide how Christians respond to disagreements about sexuality.
By Mark A. Taylor
Compassion Toward People with Same-Sex Attraction
More than once in recent years, Christian Standard has advocated for compassion toward homosexuals.
Most recently we published Mark Moore’s plea that those with same-sex attraction need not identify themselves as “gay” and the church should not ostracize them.
Last year we reprinted Ben Cachiaras’s advice to his church when the issue of same-sex marriage was before the Maryland state legislature. In a piece filled with calls for sensitivity toward gay couples, he wrote, “We must be extra careful about how we discuss this so we don’t give any reasons for Christians to be misunderstood as uncaring or hate-mongers.”
Long before gay marriage became such a hot button, we published Vince Antonucci’s description of how the church where he was preaching related to homosexuals in its community. He spoke of sharing “painful truth” about the Bible’s teaching on homosexual practice with “overwhelming love” toward those involved in homosexual practice. He ended with, “When will the ‘sinners’ of our society (including homosexuals) be drawn to us? When will ‘speaking the truth in love’ not be a cliché we talk about but a reality we live out?”
Biblical Teaching on Homosexual Practice
Antonucci’s questions still challenge us. Yet, given today’s constant drumbeat promoting acceptance of homosexual practice, it is good for Christians to remind themselves why they can’t. The careful and complete study by Dr. Robert Gagnon is an excellent help here.
Some words of caution: Notice Gagnon’s essay consistently and carefully uses the term homosexual practice, not homosexuality. We can condemn the act, but we must love the person. Many among us with same-sex attraction are already ashamed or afraid of their tendency. What they need from the church is a listening ear, a gracious spirit, and help to cope.
This week’s essay is not intended as a weapon against such people but as a defense against falsehood. Every day another attractive, prominent, and persuasive advocate promotes what the Bible forbids. We must love and talk with such people. But we need not agree with them. Professor Gagnon’s work reminds us why.
1. https://christianstandard.com/2012/02/how-should-the-church-relate-to-those-with-same-sex-attraction.
2. https://christianstandard.com/2011/06/same-sex-marriage-what-should-we-do.
3. https://christianstandard.com/2006/05/cs_article-302.
4. Find more resources on this and related topics from Gagnon’s website, http://www.robgagnon.net.
Author: Mark A. Taylor
Mark A. Taylor, who served as Christian Standard editor from 2003 to 2017, retired in June 2017 after almost 41 years with Standard Publishing (Christian Standard Media).
